SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (CBS Connecticut/AP) – A mall in Maine has sacked Santa Claus after children and parents complained he was rude, grumpy and wouldn’t even let one child sit on his lap.

Officials at the Maine Mall in South Portland say they’re looking for a jollier Santa and hope to have him in place Thursday.

Jessica Mailhiot and her 6-year-old daughter, Chantel, went to see Santa this week. They told WGME-TV that he was rude and wouldn’t let the girl sit on his lap when they said they didn’t want to buy a $20 photo.

“He just put his hand on his lap so I couldn’t go on,” Chantell told the station.

Chantel says when she asked Santa for an American Girl doll, he replied she’d get an “American football.”

“This was just really important to see that Santa was listening and maybe the one thing she wanted, she would get,” Jessica told the station.

When the mom posted her story online, others shared similar experiences.